Obama Is Holding His Own Mini SXSW Because He’s the President

It’s even working in partnership with the festival itself. Just like the Austin festival, there’ll be a music, film and interactive portion of the day.

The White House is launching an event inspired by South by Southwest that will focus on innovation, film and music.

3, President Barack Obama is hosting an event called South by South Lawn. To list even half of the new festivals that have emerged in the past couple years would take far more of your time that you’d care to give. You can submit a nomination here.

Attendees for the Obama’s South by South Lawn festival will be chosen through online nominations hosted by the event’s organizers. The White House says that the panels will include topics like “how to make change stick with organizers who are having an impact, as well as a discussion with influencers who are using their platforms to bring about positive change”.

The president’s interview, conducted by Texas Tribune editor Evan Smith, focused on ways that technology and innovation can rapidly solve some of the country’s problems and how those same tech disruptions can also raise some unsettling problems.

Like SXSW, South by South Lawn will feature musical acts by “emerging artists” as well as better known performers.

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know to attend the festival, visit the nomination page here. All three portions are designed to inspire young people, with the goal of creating “an America that is more tolerant, fair, and full of opportunities”.